Pathogens
Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Precautions

Standard Precautions

General Information

Encapsulated lancet-shaped gram positive diplococci

  • Normal flora and important cause of invasive disease
  • Asplenic patients at extra risk of infection
  • Often vaccine preventable
  • Community-acquired pneumonia
  • Meningitis
  • Bacteremia
  • Bacterial sinusitis

Rarely:

  • Endocarditis
  • Septic arthritis/osteomyelitis
  • Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Osler's triad: pneumococcal endocarditis, meningitis, and pneumonia